US provides restoration funds for Hue vestiges

Place of worship: One of the three altars that will be restored as part of the project. — VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

THUA THIEN – HUE (VNS)— Three wooden altars in the former Royal Palace's Trieu To temple in Hue will be restored with financial support from the US Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation.

Rena Bitter, the US Consulate General in HCM City, yesterday handed an amount of US$29,084 to the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre for the restoration in the former capital city.

The temple is renowned for its worship ceremonies honouring the ancestors of the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945), and used to be an important part of the former Royal Palace. However, over time, the temple's structure and royal altars have become dilapidated.

According to the centre's authorities, the restoration is extremely important for the ancestor-worship ceremonies conducted at the temple. "Ancestor worship is an integral part of the Hue culture and we expect to ensure that the tradition continues with the restoration of the unique altars," said the centre's director, Phan Thanh Hai.